This MedLibrary.org supplementary page on Saying is provided directly from the open source Wikipedia as a service to our readers. Please see the note below on authorship of this content, as well as the Wikipedia usage guidelines. To search for other content from our encyclopedia supplement, please use the form below:
Related Sponsors
A saying is something that is said, notable in one respect or another.
Another definition: a saying “is the simple, direct term for any pithy expression of wisdom or truth." From “When is a Pig a Hog?: A Guide to Confoundingly Related English Words” by Bernice Randall (Galahad Books, New York, 1991).
Depending on the aspects of the notability, there are a number of synonyms, or flavors of the notion:
- Apothegm. “…an edgy, more cynical aphorism; such as, ‘Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.’" From “What’s the Difference? A Compendium of Commonly Confused and Misused Words” by Jeff Rovin (Ballantine Books, New York, 1994).
- Aphorism. A concise definition, notably memorable.
- Adage. An aphorism that has gained credibility by virtue of long use.
- Chestnut. A long-used and well-known story, comment, or quote.
- Cliché. An overly commonplace, hackneyed or trite saying.
- Epigram. A poetic form of comment on a particular idea, occurrence, or person.
- Epithet. A descriptive word or phrase that has become a popular formulation.
- Gnome (Greek: gnome, from gignoskein, to know). A type of saying, especially an aphorism or a maxim, that is designed to provide instruction in a compact form.
- Idiom. “…an expression whose meaning can’t be derived simply by hearing it, such as ‘Kick the bucket.’” From “What’s the Difference? A Compendium of Commonly Confused and Misused Words” by Jeff Rovin (Ballantine Books, New York, 1994).
- Mantra. A religious or mystical syllable or poetic phrase.
- Maxim. A principle or rule. A maxim is a wise saying, especially one intended to advise or recommend a course of conduct. In comparison to its approximate synonyms: saying, adage, saw, motto, epigram, proverb, aphorism, the term maxim stresses the succinct formulation of an ultimate truth, a fundamental principle, or a rule of conduct. The word derives from the Latin word maximus, "greatest", via an expression maxima propositio, "greatest premise".
- Motto. A concise expression of motivation.
- Platitude. A flat, insipid, trite, or weak remark.
- Proverb. An expression of practical truth or wisdom.
- Quip. A witty or funny observation.
- Saw. A saying that is commonplace, longstanding and occasionally trite.
- Witticism. A smart saying, notable for its form or style rather than its content.
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 24 September 2008, at 09:27.
Wikipedia Authorship and Review
Wikipedia content provided here is not reviewed directly by MedLibrary.org. Wikipedia content is authored by an open community of volunteers and is not produced by or in any way affiliated with MedLibrary.org.
Wikipedia Usage Guidelines
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article on "Saying".
The URL for this specific entry is:
All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details). Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.